Tony Bobcat
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2017
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does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength.
Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony
Every "old" person has experienced the same.Has anyone else experienced the same.
Such encouraging news to hear! ...NOT!If you are referring to the loss of conditioning -- as opposed to a degenerative process -- it takes less than a week to begin losing conditioning when one stops a conditioning or exercise regimen.
It does`nt just take 5 weeks: I did Malaga to A Coruna in that time, starting as a keen runner and with few body reserves. I had intended to run the camino, but a knee injury made me realise that this ambition was beyond me, but I could walk it. Two days in, I realised how ill prepared I was - only May, but road surface temperatures were sufficient to cause my feet to swell so much that only the purchase of trail shoes two sizes larger ( Merrills, great shoes! Unsolicited testimonial!) brought eventual relief. As a competitive runner, I had supposed walking would be tame. My first fellow pilgrim companion had just completed the Portugues, and he thrashed me - there`s running fitness and there`s walking fitness and they are not the same. There were muscles that I had rarely used that were suddenly being called on deck, and they were found wanting. For several weeks.
On my return I was horrified to find I had lost 5 kgs , which I could ill afford. My gym instructor gave me a programme of muscle regeneration and another 10 weeks saw the status quo ante restored. The muscle memory is apparently there and exercise will restore the loss.
The following year I had my knee injury operated on - meniscus tears trimmed by keyhole surgery. Relatively non-invasive but nevertheless disruptive to normal physical progression. In the three weeks post operation, resting but not crutch-supported, I lost 5 kgs again! The surgeon told me I was his first patient to complain of weight loss - most complained of putting on weight. But I could see an obvious atrophy of the thigh muscles, which, a year later, has still not been completely restored.
Am I drawing any conclusions from this ramble? Well, I think firstly that a Camino is not just a walk in the parque. It`s a tough physical ordeal relieved by myriad experiences of the way, perhaps better appreciated by the mind than by the body. The muscles that are`nt being used are going to be sacrificed for those that are obliged to work. If, as I fervently hope, I can do another camino (Via Serrana, ojala?) I shall make sure this time to do my morning and evening press-ups!
Fully agree Rob, I might have to start doing some weights. Cheers TonyIt does`nt just take 5 weeks: I did Malaga to A Coruna in that time, starting as a keen runner and with few body reserves. I had intended to run the camino, but a knee injury made me realise that this ambition was beyond me, but I could walk it. Two days in, I realised how ill prepared I was - only May, but road surface temperatures were sufficient to cause my feet to swell so much that only the purchase of trail shoes two sizes larger ( Merrills, great shoes! Unsolicited testimonial!) brought eventual relief. As a competitive runner, I had supposed walking would be tame. My first fellow pilgrim companion had just completed the Portugues, and he thrashed me - there`s running fitness and there`s walking fitness and they are not the same. There were muscles that I had rarely used that were suddenly being called on deck, and they were found wanting. For several weeks.
On my return I was horrified to find I had lost 5 kgs , which I could ill afford. My gym instructor gave me a programme of muscle regeneration and another 10 weeks saw the status quo ante restored. The muscle memory is apparently there and exercise will restore the loss.
The following year I had my knee injury operated on - meniscus tears trimmed by keyhole surgery. Relatively non-invasive but nevertheless disruptive to normal physical progression. In the three weeks post operation, resting but not crutch-supported, I lost 5 kgs again! The surgeon told me I was his first patient to complain of weight loss - most complained of putting on weight. But I could see an obvious atrophy of the thigh muscles, which, a year later, has still not been completely restored.
Am I drawing any conclusions from this ramble? Well, I think firstly that a Camino is not just a walk in the parque. It`s a tough physical ordeal relieved by myriad experiences of the way, perhaps better appreciated by the mind than by the body. The muscles that are`nt being used are going to be sacrificed for those that are obliged to work. If, as I fervently hope, I can do another camino (Via Serrana, ojala?) I shall make sure this time to do my morning and evening press-ups!
Hi Davebugg I’m an ex panel beater that since the age of fifteen have always used my upper body.If you are referring to the loss of conditioning -- as opposed to a degenerative process -- it takes less than a week to begin losing conditioning when one stops a conditioning or exercise regimen.
Thanks falcon269 for letting me know that at least I’m not the only old bugger out there. Cheers TonyEvery "old" person has experienced the same.
Hi trecilI'm confused about what you think the cause of your muscle tone is. You mention 5 weeks (the time it took you to walk?), and that you have been home 5 months. Did you lose upper body muscle on the Camino or after?
Hi backpack45Unfortunately, it happens faster the older you get. There are remedies, however, including going back and doing a different route
Tony, did you use walking poles? I thought I would lose a lot of my judo conditioning but my pushup ability was definitely on the higher side despite not doing them for 6 weeks. I think swinging those sticks made the difference. I did not loss weight but I certainly leaned out apart from my calf muscles that completely bulked up.Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony
Hi DonnaTony, did you use walking poles? I thought I would lose a lot of my judo conditioning but my pushup ability was definitely on the higher side despite not doing them for 6 weeks. I think swinging those sticks made the difference. I did not loss weight but I certainly leaned out apart from my calf muscles that completely bulked up.
Hi FleurTake up Nordic walking. Learn how to use the specially designed poles correctly and exercise your upper body as well as the lower half.
Such encouraging news to hear! ...NOT!
The good news is that one does not need to maintain the same fitness level they had toward the end of their Camino. You can maintain a lower fitness threshold by routinely exercising at a lower level. That will keep a base level of fitness for you without requiring a lot of time spent exercising. Then, when it is time to ramp up the fitness level in preparation for a Camino or a backpacking trip, for instance, it is quicker and easier to build toward a more optimum fitness level.
They say a week in bed if you are ill you will lose 1kg of muscle. If you are older you may never regain that muscle mass. Perhaps you have only lost tone If I dont ride my bike at least twice a week I feel that my legs and butt dont feel half as tones as they should be. Just an observation.Hello everyone
Finished my first Camino 5 months ago, back home and realising that I seem to have lost a lot of muscle tone in my upper body. I am usually very physical and have never had this problem before, does it only take 5 weeks to lose the strength. Has anyone else experienced the same. Cheers Tony
Hi DragonShadowSince returning from my Camino a year ago, I've tried to walk 3-6 miles daily. This has kept my lower body toned. I have tried to keep my upper body toned by doing planking exercises and over the shoulder weight lifting. It has helped some but definitely lost a bit of muscle tone. I lost 10 lbs on the Camino and unfortunately have gained most of it back.
Hi KieranThey say a week in bed if you are ill you will lose 1kg of muscle. If you are older you may never regain that muscle mass. Perhaps you have only lost tone If I dont ride my bike at least twice a week I feel that my legs and butt dont feel half as tones as they should be. Just an observation.
Hi DonnaHow much of this is nutrition? I made a real effort to ensure I was getting adequate protein and calories as I did not want to drop my weight although I was happy to lean out. Fitness is as much created in the kitchen as out on the road.
Hi KangaIt's age, it's age, it's age! AaaaaaH.
I want:
1. Muscle powder that will help me build muscle as easily as when I was younger
2. Silicone or some other gel that I can inject into my knees and other joints so they slide easily and don't groan
3. Tissue compatible rubber compound that can give me back my bounce
4. Ultra strong and extra smooth silk tissue to replace those worn out grey ligaments and tendons
5. And last, but definitely not least, under-the-skin plumbing substance to remove the wrinkles!
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